Before we can get into a
discussion of AMD's x86-64 architecture and how it compares to competing solutions,
we need to briefly address the needs that do exist for 64-bit processors.

The way the evolution of
microprocessors work is pretty simple. The technology that drives the high-end
enterprise computing solutions will be used in one shape or form on the desktop
level later on. This provides the foundation for 64-bit processors for use in
enterprise computing situations, and also clearly defines the fact that 64-bit
computing isn't for everyone just yet.

The main customers for 64-bit
processors are those that are currently feeling the limits of the 32-bit architecture
at present. The best quote we ever got regarding who would need a 64-bit processor
was from Intel saying that "we needed [Itanium] in order to design our
next generation chips." It is true, microprocessor designs are becoming
incredibly complex; with transistor count increasing and die size shrinking,
it isn't too far fetched that the engineers at AMD and Intel could use the help
of 64-bit processors.

Likewise, Mechanical CAD
(MCAD) applications used in the designing of automobiles, satellites and other
such complex objects will also benefit from 64-bit processors.

Extremely large database
applications also fit the 64-bit processor bill because they, just like the
aforementioned applications, can all benefit from a larger addressable memory
area using 64-bit addresses.

There are also applications
that can benefit from a processor's ability to handle 64-bit integers without
having to split them up into multiple parts. Security and encryption processing
is an example of such an application that would benefit from 64-bit processing.

AMD and Intel list other
needs for 64-bit processors such as Internet Content Delivery (read: high end
servers) and simulations such as weather forecasting computers.

Remember when 4MB of RAM
was an obscenely large amount of memory to have on a desktop computer? There
will come a time where 4GB of RAM isn't too uncommon of a memory size for your
average computer, and when that day comes, even your average computer user will
have a use for 64-bit processors, whether or not they realize it at the time
is another topic entirely.